Ganderbal, Nov 26 (KNO): Residents of Wanghat village in Kangan Subdivision in Ganderbal district have expressed concerns over the lack of a fire service station in their area.
For several years, the local community has been urging the government to establish a dedicated fire station, but so far no significant action has been taken.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the residents highlighted that during fire incidents, they are forced to rely on fire stations located in Kangan and Ganderbal, which often results in delayed response times.
“In case of a fire, the people struggle to douse the flames as the fire services are too far away,” said a local resident, Ghulam Mohammad.
“The situation becomes even worse during winters when the roads are blocked, and access to these stations is further delayed,” he added.
The area’s infrastructure does not currently meet the urgent needs of the population in such emergencies, the residents said.
Another resident, Irshad Ahmad, stressed the importance of a fire service in the village, stating it’s not just about the property it's about saving lives. “We need immediate intervention in case of a fire, and this can only be possible if a fire station is established in Wanghat.”
The villagers also recalled a recent forest fire that spread dangerously close to the village.
“Last time, a forest fire spread near Wanghat, and it continued for over a week,” said a resident, Tariq Ahmad. “We were left helpless without adequate resources. A fire station here could have prevented further damage. We appeal to Mian Mehar Ali, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Kangan, to take immediate steps to address this critical issue.”
“We have been waiting for years, and now we hope that MLA Mian Mehar Ali will take action and work towards the establishment of a fire station in Wanghat,” one of the residents said—(KNO)